"Each year, the Boston College Arts Council recognizes an alumnus, a
faculty member, and several students for their accomplishments and
contributions to the arts in various disciplines," according to the Arts Council press release. "Alumni and faculty
award recipients serve as role models, inspiring and guiding developing
young artists in the BC community."

Connolly is the "Sullivan Artist in Residence" at Boston College, and one of the most accomplished Irish musicians of his generation, as performer, composer, publisher and educator. The County Clare native formed BC's Gaelic Roots program in 1991, and since then the program has brought to campus the world's finest performers in Irish, Scottish, Canadian and American folk traditions.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

If you’re looking to discover one of Ireland’s most
authentic stops along the Wild Atlantic Way, then take the Spiddal Road out of
Galway City and drive about a dozen miles until you reach Spiddal, a beautiful
seaside village where students from around the world travel to learn the Irish
language and to immerse themselves in pure Irish culture.

It is here you’ll find Gannon’s Traditional Irish Music Shop, run by two outstanding traditional musicians, Colm Gannon and his wife
Kelly Gannon. The shop opened last year, and already has become a gathering spot for
locals and visitors alike who cherish traditional Irish music. With a fine
selection of CDs, tapes and records, a variety of tune books, and some
exquisite instruments, like the Bosca Ceoil button accordion made by Italian
instrument master Manfrini, the Gannons specialize in instrument accessories
and advice on where to find the best nightly music.

A main feature of the shop is the music school on the
premises. Kelly (Geraghty) Gannon is a classically trained pianist and
brilliant concertina player, and teaches classes, along with Colm on the
accordion and other accomplished musicians like Ronan O’Flaherty on fiddle,
Padraig O’Dubhghail on guitar, Pádraic Keane on pipes, Tommy Walsh on Flute and
Brian McGrath on banjo.

Born and raised in Boston’s
Dorchester neighborhood, Colm comes from a distinguished family of accordion
players, including his dad John Gannon, who is originally from Droim, Leitir
Mor in Connemara, and Colm’s older brother, Sean, also an excellent accordionist. Colm and Sean’s mom, Gerry Gannon, comes
from nearby Tuirin. In 1994, Colm was one of the few American players to ever
win the prestigious All Ireland button accordion championship, and he toured
with Riverdance for several years before getting his master’s degree in music
performance at the University
of Limerick.

Colm grew up down the street from Boston’s
new Mayor, Marty Walsh, in a Connemara community in the heart of Dorchester that was a home away from home for his
parents. He recently talked about the “spirited and passionate” people of Connemara who helped shape him and his music.

“It’s the pride of culture and community that the Connemara
people hold so strong and instill in the next generation that have kept them
together,” he said. “The love and respect of their people, history, language,
music, song and dance was passed on from generation to generation. This was
integral in keeping the community strong and bringing them together.”

Colm said he was so influenced by his Connemara upbringing
in Boston that
he and his wife Kelly decided to settle down here and open the shop. He wants
Gannon’s Traditional Music Shop to be a place for the people of Ireland and tourists alike to come and share the
Connemara spirit, the love of music and the
sense of camaraderie that drew him back to his second home away from home.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Irish uilleann piper Tommy Keane and his wife, concertina player Jackqueline McCarthy, are performing at the Burren Pub in Davis Square, Somerville, on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to the show are $23 and can be reserved online, or purchased at the door.

The duo, based in Ireland, will be joined by friends and family on stage. Jacqueline is part of a legendary musical family from County Clare, which includes her brother, fiddler Tommy McCarthy, who runs the Burren with his wife, musician Louise Costello.

The concert is part of the Burren Back Room Series, a year round slate of intimate concerts featuring some of the world's finest traditional musicians.

Find year round details on Irish cultural activities in Massachusetts by visiting IrishMassachusetts.com.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Tempest, one of the world's enduring Celtic rock bands, is performing at the Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, RI on Friday, April 11, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance, and $15 the day of the show. To reserve tickets call (401) 725-9272. The band, based in San Francisco and originally from Oslo, Norway, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Combining Irish and Scottish melodies with Norwegian and world music influences, Tempest has a distinct sound that has helped to popularize the Celtic rock genre.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Materials and personal notes left by people from around the
world at Copley Square park in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon
bombing in 2013 have been preserved and are being put on display at the Boston
Public Library from April 7 through May 11, 2014.

"Dear Boston
represents our strength and solidarity not only as a city, but also as a community
that supports one another through even the most difficult of times," said Boston Mayor Martin J.
Walsh. "I encourage people – residents and visitors alike – to visit
the exhibition, experience the resilience of the people of Boston, and view the messages of hope and
healing."

The Dear Boston exhibition is part of a broad effort called #BostonBetter, wherein area museums, libraries, and archives
host various programs associated with the one-year anniversary of the 2013
marathon. For more information, visit bostonbetter.org.

The husband-wife duo, based in Massachusetts, has been praised by The Boston Globe for "masterful and inventive" playing, while the Boston Herald calls their music "brilliant, American-bred Irish folk."

Located at 875 Main Street in the seaside town of Chatham, the Chatham Fiddle Company offers a variety of hand-crafted musical instruments, lessons, and ongoing concerts throughout the year. For more information contact 508 348-1885 or chathamfiddlecompany@gmail.com.

Find year round details on Irish cultural activities in Massachusetts and New England by visiting IrishMassachusetts.com.

The show is part of the Burren Backroom Series, which features world-class musicians from the Irish, Scottish, American and Canadian traditions. The series is hosted by Brian O'Donovan of WGBH's Celtic Sojourn radio program.

Originally from Galway, Sean has toured the world as a solo performer and with some of Ireland's greatest musicians. He has produced numerous albums, and issued a double-CD called Message of Peace, on the life of John Boyle O'Reilly, considered to be one of Boston's most influential Irish immigrants in the 19th century.

The Boston Irish community is coming together this month for Katie O'Halloran of Cill Chiarain, Connemara, Galway, a talented young woman who needs prosthetic arms to help her reach her full potential in life.

The event takes place from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at the IBEW Hall on Freeport Street in Dorchester.

Katie was born with Femur Fibula Ulna Syndrome, a condition that left her without arms and with a deformed right leg. She has overcome great physical challenges in her life and has become an accomplished young woman. She traveled to New York to participate in a sports tournament for the physically challenged, and came away with nine gold medals. In 2012 she graduated from the National University of Ireland in Galway, and is now earning a Master's Degree in Public Law.

A group formed in Galway,named "Katie Born to Run," has been organizing road races and other activities to raise funds. A number of runners from Ireland are participating in this year's Boston Marathon to help raise funds for Katie's prosthetic arms and for the physiotherapy and occupational therapy she'll need in the coming years. The group has already raised $300,000 of the $400,000 needed.

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh is honorary chairman of the the event, which features music by DJ Connie, and a raffle. The Katie O'Halloran Benefit is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all donations and contributions are tax deductible.